Kinilaw: A Philippine Cuisine of Freshness by Edilberto Alegre and Doreen Fernandez

Oh no, somebody stop me. I have gone insane. Two days after a big-ticket book purchase, I bought another one. In my defense though, P140 is hardly a big-ticket amount.

Anyway, it's Doreen, dean of Filipino food writers. On Amazon, it says that it's out of print. And it's another lucky find, the prize of another unplanned saunter into a bookstore. So let's not call our friendly neighborhood mental health professional just yet.

7th Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Contest now open

From the NCCA's Micky Makabenta:

The topic this year is biskwit: traditional cookies that have been part of Philippine cuisine, nationally or locally, for at least 50 years.

There are many types including pan de san nicolas, kamachile, uraro, roscas, biscocho principe among many others. Modern products like today's chocolate chip cookies are not included.

English-language essays from 4,500 to 5,00 characters (800 words) will be judged by professional writers for content (50%), research (30%), style (20%). The judges' decision is final, and submissions become the property of Manila Ladies Branch of the International Wine & Food Society who manage the contest. Entries should be 2 pages, double-spaced on short bond paper. Submit 1 printed and 1 digital copy of the essay. For the digital copy use Word (doc.) or rich text file (rtf) on a CD. Deadline for submissions is Aug 31/09, 5pm.

A contestant is allowed up to 2 entries, each with a different pen name as byline. Only post by special delivery or hand-deliver submissions. Each essay should be accompanied by an envelope inside which is the author's name, pen name, addresses/landlines (residential, business, school whichever are applicable; for the latter specify grade level, course), email address, cellphone and FAX numbers.

Prizes include gift certificates from bookstores, publishing houses and restaurants; magazine subscriptions; publication of winning entries in newspapers and magazines; and invitation to the awarding ceremony.

The contest is a tribute to the country's one time dean of Philippine food columnists, a major national and international catalyst for interest in Philippine cuisine, and founding Vice President of the contest's manager: The Manila Ladies Branch of the International Wine & Food Society.

Submit to:
DOREEN GAMBOA FERNANDEZ FOOD WRITING AWARD 2009
IWFS Manila Ladies Branch Awards Committee
PRISM, 5th floor, PDAF Bldg.,
Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1200

Palayok by Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez

The exquisitely written and illustrated Palayok: Philippine Food Through Time, On Site, In The Pot by Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez is the first of hopefully many acquisitions for my food books collection.

A collage of some of the contents of the book: